District 8 President's Report
District 8 President's Report
Friends:
Summer is almost here. Of course, most of us didn't have the normal cold winter -- it was one I found acceptable and hopeful of a repeat next winter. I felt sorry for the good folks who headed for Florida or Arizona well before our winter arrived -- or should I say "never arrived". Many times we had better weather than they did. Regardless, welcome home. We've missed you at the bridge table.
I've been giving some thought to the "zero tolerance" policy for behavior at bridge tournaments and why we find it necessary. Let's face it, there is room for improvement when it comes to our reputation as bridge players. Why does there have to be such a vast difference between "contract" and "duplicate" bridge? They are both just games and perhaps that's where it ends. Contract is a relaxed, social and a conversation kind of bridge. I don't have to outline to you what duplicate bridge is. It's not relaxed. It's not social and it doesn't encourage conversation. Why do we play this kind of game? It's because we're competitive and enjoy playing a hand of bridge to its best contract.
It's amazing after a session of duplicate bridge and you compare how the same cards are played. You wouldn't think they were playing the same 13 cards. Sometimes only one pair will find a small slam --- and make it. That is what we find is fun and brings us back to the bridge table.
How many duplicate players do you know that have dual personalities? If you are honest, you know quite a few. There is the player before he/she sits down at the table and the player after he/she sits down at the table. Remember the times you moved to the next table and no one welcomed you? They were in the midst of a conversation and completely ignored you, or there is tension between the players and they didn't hide it very well ... and the reasons go on. I have a player in my weekly Thursday bridge game who "always" welcomes the arriving team to their table. What a great way to greet folks.
How many times have you encouraged someone to play in a duplicate game and met with a prompt refusal? Often, they'll say, "No thanks, I don't play that kind of bridge". You just had "our" reputation rammed down your throat. We can't change our reputation over night, but we can all start putting our best foot forward and watch our conduct -- especially after we sit down at the table.
Many tournaments and clubs have a laminated card that is placed on the table that is titled, "It's So Easy to be Polite". It lists the following reminders:
1. When your opponents come to the table, be certain to say "hello" and exchange names.
2. When you call the Director (or caddy), why not add "please"?
3. The bridge table isn't the place to teach your partner or opponents the finer points of the game.
4. Turn off "all" beeping items.
5. When your partner fails to bid correctly and/or misses something in the play of the hand, keep it to yourself. You might mess up the next board.
6. When you correct your partner's playing, you are only upsetting them and as result they will be prone to make another mistake. Without your telling them, they already know they made a mistake.
7. Relax and have fun -- it's only a game.
If we all work at it, we'll someday have a game where folks inquire, "What do I have to do to be able to play duplicate bridge with you?" We'll then know we have a good reputation.